The phrase “chronically absent” can sound like a judgment about a family, but it is primarily an attendance measure. A widely used definition is missing 10% or more of school days for any reason. That includes excused absences, unexcused absences, and in many systems days missed because of suspension. ¹

What does 10% look like?

In a 180-day school year, 10% is 18 days. But schools do not have to wait until a student reaches 18 absences in May. Because the measure is based on the percentage of days enrolled, a student can be considered on track for chronic absence much earlier. Roughly two missed days per month can reach the threshold over a full year.

Do excused absences count?

Usually, yes. Chronic absence asks how much school was missed, not whether the absence was approved. A child who has repeated asthma attacks, medical appointments, anxiety-related school refusal, transportation problems, or family emergencies may reach the threshold without doing anything wrong.

How is that different from truancy?

Truancy usually focuses on unexcused absences and is defined by state law or local policy. Chronic absence is broader. This is why a school may discuss chronic absence with a parent even when the parent has called in every absence.

Why schools track it

Attendance is connected to access: students cannot benefit from instruction, services, relationships, meals, activities, and school-based supports on days they are not present. Michigan’s 2026 attendance guidance uses the 10% definition and emphasizes identifying barriers rather than treating all absences as the same problem. ²

What families should ask

If your child is flagged as chronically absent, ask the school for the actual attendance record. Check for errors, find out whether partial days or tardies are included in local calculations, and discuss the reason for the pattern.

• How many days has my child been enrolled?
• How many full or partial days are counted as absent?
• Which absences are excused versus unexcused?
• Is my child missing the same class or time of day repeatedly?
• What support can address the reason for the absences?

The label is most useful when it starts a problem-solving conversation. The goal should be to understand why school is being missed and reduce barriers while protecting the child’s educational and health needs.